Body found near East Elementary

Man suffered apparent self-inflicted death; police working to ID body

Alton police officers and two representatives from the Madison County Coroner’s Office head into the woods from the northeast corner of the property behind East Elementary School Wednesday, where a man reportedly hung himself from a tree in the woods behind garages of the Pine Meadow Court Apartments adjacent to the school.

ALTON — A dead body in the woods near East Elementary School was spotted Wednesday by a student playing outside during recess, prompting an investigation by Alton police.

Police were called early Wednesday afternoon. Officers found a deceased white male in the woods behind garages of the Pine Meadow Court Apartments adjacent to the school. Alton firefighters were called to the scene for a subject reported to be unconscious and not breathing. Investigators from the Madison County Coroner’s Office were also called.

Police radio traffic indicated officials discovered what appeared to be a self-inflicted death. A release from Det. Emily Hejna of the Alton Police Department said authorities are investigating the incident, but there is no overt evidence of foul play.

Several detectives were on the scene, including Alton Chief of Detectives Lt. David DeWall. Police scanner traffic indicated some of the same detectives on scene had been searching for a man hours earlier. Police could not say if the incidents were related.

The body was discovered during recess for fourth and fifth graders, according to Alton Schools Assistant Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner. After the student reported the finding, all students were immediately removed from the playground, East Elementary principal Lanea DeConcini wrote in a letter sent to parents via email. She alerted parents to the possibility their child heard other students talking about the incident during school hours.

“As a result, our social work team spoke with fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms in a sensitive manner to determine of students had questions or were experiencing any concerns surrounding the incident,” DeConcini wrote in the email. “The social work team will also be available tomorrow. Your child may also wish to discuss today’s event with you so we want you to be aware of what transpired today… All students were safe at all times and instruction continued as planned.”

Hejna said the department was working to identify the body as of Wednesday afternoon.

Man suffered apparent self-inflicted death; police working to ID body

Alton police officers and two representatives from the Madison County Coroner’s Office head into the woods from the northeast corner of the property behind East Elementary School Wednesday, where a man reportedly hung himself from a tree in the woods behind garages of the Pine Meadow Court Apartments adjacent to the school.

http://thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_HangingAtSchool-2.jpgAlton police officers and two representatives from the Madison County Coroner’s Office head into the woods from the northeast corner of the property behind East Elementary School Wednesday, where a man reportedly hung himself from a tree in the woods behind garages of the Pine Meadow Court Apartments adjacent to the school.